Tommy Tiernan Show: Paddy McGuinness on Depression,Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin on Stalking,and God Knows on Music

The Tommy Tiernan Show on Saturday night featured a diverse lineup of guests,including comedian Paddy McGuinness,academic Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin,and rapper God Knows.Each guest shared personal experiences and perspectives on mental health, societal issues, and artistic expression.

Paddy McGuinness Opens Up About Clinical Depression

Comedian and television presenter Paddy McGuinness revealed his diagnosis of clinical depression during his appearance on the show. He noted the timing coincided with landing his role on the BBC’s “Top Gear,” creating a sense of internal conflict. McGuinness felt conflicted ““I’ve got this job, which, by rights, is supposed to be the best job on Earth,” he said. “So what rights have I got not to be happy at getting a job like this.”

McGuinness described clinical depression as ““like depression on steroids.” He used a colorful, albeit potentially controversial, analogy involving musician james Blunt. “It’s almost like being at a James Blunt concert, and they’ve closed the exits,” he quipped. “Then when you finally get one open and bust through it, you’re in another James Blunt concert.” He clarified, “He’s a lovely fellow, incidentally, but it’s the only analogy I could think of” emphasizing that his statement was not a personal attack.

McGuinness credited his ex-wife’s intervention for seeking help. She pointed out to him: “You’re not yourself. You haven’t been yourself or ages.” Initially, he dismissed it as stress: “I thought I was just a little bit stressed with work and bit irritable, but clearly I’d taken a massive turn. They had to tell me three times I couldn’t get my head around it.” He pursued therapy, describing it as a “do it yourself” process where the therapist “put you in the right way,” despite joking “You feel like asking for your money back at the end of the session,I’ve done all that myself.”

McGuinness also shared insights into his family dynamics, noting his parents “were ‘never a couple'” He spoke fondly of his mother, who was the primary caregiver. Reflecting on his childhood, he said, “It’s my bloody mum who did everything for me… When I think back to me childhood, I kind of think, Oh, bloody hell. I wish I could have really spoiled her for giving up her life.” He also recounted the surprise of discovering he had siblings at his father’s funeral: “I was at my dad’s funeral, and, this like, older bloke, came up to me ‘I’m your brother’ and I’m like ‘Christ’. And then a couple of women came up ‘we’re your sisters’.”

Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin on Stalking and Workplace Harassment

Academic and former Rose of Tralee Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin discussed being stalked for two years by a staff member at University College Dublin and her decision to speak publicly about her ordeal. ““It’s not something that I like to dwell on but I understand it’s an important part of my life experience now, to reflect on,” she said.

Ní Shúilleabháin emphasized her motivation for going public: “What I really wanted to do at the end of it was to make sure that nobody else was going to have the same experience that I had out of it. That’s why I went public,because I was like,I have a platform. I understand how to make a headline out of this, so that it might put pressure on people to change things.” Her advocacy lead to discussions with the minister for higher education and changes to university policies on sexual harassment.“It was to change policy on sexual harassment in the workplace.”

However,she stressed that policies alone are insufficient: “But I also know that policies are things on paper,and you have to have action coming behind them.”

Ní Shúilleabháin highlighted the challenges of navigating “gendered environments” in academic institutions. “I felt it very much in the space of that sexual harassment,where it was just like,‘is this not a big deal,is this in my head? Should I just be getting over this,as it’s not a big thing’…But then you tell the story to your pals outside,and they’re like,this is insane.” This reflects a broader societal issue where victims of harassment are often gaslit into believing thier experiences are insignificant.

God knows on Music and Identity

Zimbabwean Irish rapper God Knows, based in Limerick, shared his artistic vision and inspirations. his goal is to “make a song that’s going to impact everyone”. He considers Kendrick Lamar a major influence. “The closest person that I think everyone would know as of the Super Bowl would be Kendrick Lamar. That for me would be my greatest of all time.”

God Knows emphasized the importance of layering meaning in his music. “I want to be able to have layers to my art. I’m a wordsmith, that’s what I hinge my sword on. That’s my superpower if I am to have one.” He draws inspiration from his diverse background: “I’m an Irish man, I’m a Zimbabwe man, I’m a Christian, I’m an emcee, I’m a husband… I love the idea to bring those layers to people who are willing to listen. You don’t have to, but if you’re willing, I’m gonna give you something.”

His aim is to create music that resonates on multiple levels. “So I want to be able to have those great layers, but be able to translate it in such a way that someone can just bop to it and say, I don’t know what he’s saying, but I like it.” God Knows performed his song ‘The Art of Alienation’ on the show.

Conclusion

The Tommy Tiernan Show continues to provide a platform for open and honest conversations about important topics. From Paddy McGuinness’s insights into clinical depression to Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin’s advocacy against harassment and God Knows’s exploration of identity through music, the show offers viewers valuable perspectives and encourages dialogue. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please seek professional help. If you are experiencing harassment, know that you are not alone; resources and support are available. explore God Knows’s music to experience his artistry firsthand.Tune in to the Tommy Tiernan Show next Saturday for more compelling conversations.